Review of the New Synology DP320 Active Protect NAS – A Good Change?
Quick Note for this review – As much as I want to review the DP320 separate from other Synology NAS solutions (with DSM appliances, and therefore completely different intended user), it is impossible to do this. This is because Synology Diskstation and Rackstation Solutions are pretty much the main alternative to this solution to the DP320. So, apologies if elements of this review draw more comparison to DSM than you (and perhaps even Synology themselves) might like.
The Synology DP320 represents a notable departure from Synology’s established NAS lineup, introducing a device tailored specifically for backup and disaster recovery under the new ActiveProtect platform. For years, Synology’s desktop NAS systems have been synonymous with versatility, powered by the robust DSM operating system that supports a wide array of applications and configurations. However, with the DP320 and its siblings in the ActiveProtect series, Synology is pivoting toward a more focused, purpose-built approach. This shift raises questions about how it fits within the company’s broader ecosystem and its implications for the future of Synology’s hardware and software offerings.
The DP320 is one of several new additions to Synology’s ActiveProtect lineup, joining models like the DP340 and DP7400. Unlike traditional Synology NAS devices, the DP320 is not powered by DSM and does not aim to be a multi-purpose solution. Instead, it is built solely for use with Synology’s ActiveProtect Manager, a specialized platform designed to centralize and simplify data protection. This streamlined focus makes the DP320 a dedicated backup appliance rather than a general-purpose server, a design choice that reflects Synology’s intent to address the growing demand for robust, business-specific data protection tools. However, this specialization also raises concerns among long-time Synology users about the narrowing scope of its capabilities.
Synology DP320 Review – Quick Conclusion
As a standalone platform and if you do not draw comparison with Synology’s DSM devices – the DP320 is a great (if somewhat rigid and inflexible) solution and does precisely what the brand says it will do Moving away from the multi-purpose, DSM-powered NAS systems to a specialized backup appliance built around the ActiveProtect Manager platform was always going to result in mixed feelings! ActiveProtect is NOT replacing DSM – but one cannot help but wonder the long-term impact on the development of DSM, as well as future development of popular applications such as ActiveBackup, when this dedicated backup appliance exists. While it simplifies data protection with centralized management, robust security, and reliable performance, it lacks the versatility that has defined DSM devices. Without access to applications like Synology Drive, Surveillance Station, or Hyper Backup, and with limited hardware expandability, the DP320 focuses exclusively on backup and disaster recovery, positioning itself as a solution for businesses seeking ease of use without the complexity of a traditional NAS. However, this narrowed focus raises concerns about how ActiveProtect may impact DSM’s future development, as Synology’s resources are now divided between supporting this separate ecosystem and enhancing DSM’s broader appeal. DSM-powered NAS devices remain highly valued for their flexibility, supporting diverse applications, multi-purpose workflows, and scalability, making them indispensable for many users beyond simple data protection. While the DP320 serves a niche market well, its adoption should be carefully considered against the broader capabilities and value provided by DSM-based solutions. This balance between dedicated functionality and multi-purpose versatility reflects Synology’s evolving strategy, but also underscores the need for clarity on how this will shape its commitment to its traditional user base.
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Synology DP320 Review – The Hardware & Design
The Synology DP320 introduces a deviation from Synology’s traditional NAS offerings, emphasizing a focused design as a backup-specific appliance operating on the ActiveProtect platform. Unlike its DSM-powered predecessors, the DP320 is not intended as a general-purpose NAS but rather a dedicated backup solution for businesses.
This shift has drawn mixed reactions from Synology’s user base, particularly those who have relied on the flexibility and comprehensive ecosystem of DSM. The DP320 features a dual-bay design with RAID 1 configuration, signaling Synology’s intent to address specific business-oriented needs while moving away from the multifaceted capabilities associated with its mainstream NAS devices.
At its core, the DP320 is powered by an AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core processor paired with 8GB of DDR4 ECC memory, designed to prioritize reliability and efficient file processing. This hardware configuration lacks support for advanced features like 10GbE networking or m.2 NVMe caching, which are present in devices such as the DS723+.
The omission of these features underscores Synology’s emphasis on backup-centric tasks over high-speed data handling or virtualization. While the hardware is suitable for smaller deployments, its lack of scalability may not meet the demands of larger organizations, limiting its versatility as a more general-purpose solution.
Connectivity on the DP320 is basic, with two 1GbE LAN ports—one dedicated to management and the other to data transfer—and a single USB 3.2 Gen 1 port. The USB port’s functionality within the ActiveProtect ecosystem is notably limited, offering minimal utility for local USB backups. This minimalistic approach reflects Synology’s aim to streamline the device for centralized and straightforward backup management.
However, the limited options for network and peripheral connectivity may frustrate users who require greater flexibility or advanced configurations to integrate the device into more complex IT environments.
The DP320 is shipped prepopulated with enterprise-grade hard drives, reinforcing its identity as a specialized backup device. Specifically, it includes two 8TB Synology HDDs in a RAID 1 configuration, which provides redundancy but eliminates the user’s ability to customize storage options at purchase.
Unlike DSM-based devices, the DP320’s fixed storage setup simplifies the initial deployment for less technically inclined users but restricts adaptability for organizations with specific or evolving storage needs. This preconfigured approach mirrors Synology’s strategy with its rackmount DP7400 model, further emphasizing simplicity and predefined workflows over flexibility.
Synology DP320 vs DP340 vs DP7400 – What is the Difference?
The Synology DP320, DP340, and DP7400 represent three tiers of Synology’s ActiveProtect lineup, each tailored for distinct use cases based on deployment scale, performance needs, and hardware capabilities. The DP320 is designed for small-scale deployments, offering basic backup functionalities in a compact form factor with minimal resource requirements. The DP340 provides a mid-tier option, adding enhanced storage capacity and network performance suitable for medium-sized businesses. At the high end, the DP7400 targets enterprise environments, featuring robust scalability, higher performance, and advanced hardware configurations for managing large-scale workloads.
While all three models run the ActiveProtect Manager (APM) software, their differences in hardware significantly affect their capabilities. The DP320 and DP340 share the same AMD Ryzen R1600 processor, but the DP340 includes more memory and dual 10GbE networking for faster data transfers. In contrast, the DP7400 is equipped with an AMD EPYC 7272 processor, offering vastly superior performance with 12 cores and 64GB of memory, making it capable of handling significantly more concurrent workloads. Storage configurations also differ, with the DP320 and DP340 providing limited scalability compared to the DP7400’s enterprise-grade RAID 6 configuration and SSD caching.
| Specification | DP320 | DP340 | DP7400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cluster Role | Follower | Follower | Controller (Manage up to 2500 servers or 150,000 workloads) |
| Form Factor | Desktop / 2 bays | Desktop / 4 bays | 2U Rackmount / 12 bays |
| CPU & Cores | AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores) | AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores) | AMD EPYC 7272 (12 cores) |
| Suggested Backup Source | 5 TB (20 Machines or 50 SaaS users) | 14.5 TB (60 Machines or 150 SaaS users) | 83.5 TB (350 Machines or 3300 SaaS users) |
| Storage Configuration | RAID 1 (2 x 8 TB HDD) | RAID 5 (4 x 8 TB HDD) | RAID 6 + 1 Spare (10 x 20 TB HDD) + 2 x 3.84 TB SSD |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4 ECC | 16 GB DDR4 ECC | 64 GB DDR4 ECC |
| Concurrent Built-in VMs | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| Network Interface | 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Management) | 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Management) | 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Management) |
| 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Data Transfer) | 1 x 10GbE RJ-45 (Data Transfer) | 2 x 10GbE RJ-45 (Data Transfer) | |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 5 years |
The differences in hardware extend to software functionality, with the DP7400 capable of acting as a controller in cluster configurations, managing up to 2500 servers or 150,000 workloads. In contrast, the DP320 and DP340 serve as follower nodes within larger systems or standalone backup solutions.
These differences make the DP320 ideal for small businesses with limited data needs, the DP340 a solid option for medium-sized organizations requiring moderate scalability, and the DP7400 a powerful solution for enterprise-grade environments demanding high performance, reliability, and expansive capacity.
Synology ActiveProtect Software
Synology ActiveProtect is a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery platform designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Unlike Synology’s traditional DSM (DiskStation Manager), which offers a multi-purpose operating system for general NAS management, ActiveProtect is a dedicated, backup-specific solution tailored to simplify data protection across various environments.
By consolidating multiple backup and data protection tools into a single, intuitive management system, ActiveProtect eliminates the need for disparate applications while focusing exclusively on backup efficiency and reliability. This separation from DSM allows ActiveProtect to introduce features like immutability, air-gapped backups, and global deduplication, ensuring data integrity and streamlined operations.
While DSM emphasizes versatility with applications like Synology Drive, Surveillance Station, and virtualization tools, ActiveProtect narrows its scope to backup and disaster recovery, making it an ideal solution for organizations seeking centralized, specialized data protection rather than a general-purpose NAS platform.
Synology ActiveProtect – The TL;DR
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The ActiveProtect platform forms the operational backbone of the DP320, providing a centralized hub for backup management. The platform’s interface is clean and intuitive, offering administrators visibility into key metrics such as backup operations, supported devices, and data transfer rates. Features like immutability, air-gapped backups, and built-in virtual machine support enhance data security and disaster recovery capabilities. These features make ActiveProtect a reliable option for organizations that prioritize safeguarding critical business data. However, the platform’s highly focused feature set may not appeal to users accustomed to the versatility of DSM.
ActiveProtect provides granular control through customizable protection plans, allowing administrators to configure schedules, retention policies, and backup destinations. These plans can be applied to a wide range of devices, including local desktops, servers, and cloud tenants. Despite its flexibility, the platform restricts each device to a single active protection plan at a time. While this limitation simplifies management, it can be a hindrance for businesses with diverse and complex backup requirements, necessitating careful planning to optimize resource allocation and task execution.
The DP320 integrates seamlessly with Synology’s C2 cloud services and supports other remote storage options, enabling additional layers of redundancy. Administrators can configure backup copies to be stored in C2 Object Storage or compatible Synology NAS devices, creating a hybrid backup strategy that balances physical and cloud-based storage. This capability enhances disaster recovery readiness but requires careful adherence to compatibility requirements, such as activating object lock for C2 buckets. These features reflect Synology’s broader vision of integrating local and cloud resources for comprehensive data protection.
One notable absence is the support for DSM-specific features like Synology Drive and Hyper Backup, which have long been staples of Synology’s ecosystem. ActiveProtect’s narrowly defined feature set reduces deployment complexity but sacrifices the broader utility that DSM typically provides. By positioning ActiveProtect as a standalone platform, Synology is targeting businesses seeking an appliance-like solution tailored to specific backup needs. This decision, however, may alienate users accustomed to the multifunctionality of DSM-based systems.
The DP320’s performance aligns with its backup-oriented design. Initial backups on physical machines achieve average speeds of 45-60MB/s over a local network, with incremental backups completing more quickly, hitting swift turnarounds of 75-80MB/s. The device’s reliance on 1GbE networking, however, can become a bottleneck in environments with substantial data transfer demands. Although the hardware and software are optimized for reliable backup operations, the absence of higher-speed networking limits its applicability for data-intensive tasks, constraining its potential use cases in larger-scale environments.
User management within ActiveProtect is straightforward, offering granular permission settings for backup, restoration, and monitoring. The platform supports integration with domain and LDAP accounts, allowing smooth integration into enterprise networks. However, the lack of two-factor authentication raises concerns about access security, particularly for businesses handling sensitive data. Synology’s decision to exclude more robust security measures could limit the platform’s appeal to organizations with stringent compliance or security requirements, which may see this as a significant drawback.
Integration with Synology’s Active Backup for Business (ABB) provides additional value for existing users. ABB workloads can be migrated to ActiveProtect for centralized management, streamlining operations for businesses that already rely on Synology devices. However, some tasks, such as Synology NAS backups, remain confined to the ABB console. This partial integration creates a disjointed experience for administrators managing a mix of ActiveProtect and DSM-based devices, potentially complicating workflows for users navigating between the two ecosystems.
Support for hypervisors, including VMware and Hyper-V, expands the DP320’s utility in virtualized environments. The device allows instant restoration of virtual machines directly to a hypervisor, ensuring minimal downtime during disaster recovery scenarios.
Despite these capabilities, the lack of compatibility with Proxmox and Synology’s own Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) limits its applicability for organizations using alternative platforms. These compatibility gaps highlight areas where Synology could expand functionality to better meet diverse user needs.
The reliance on the BTRFS file system enables advanced features such as snapshot-based recovery and data deduplication. However, this reliance excludes EXT4 users from certain functionalities, such as the ability to create write-once-read-many (WORM) vaults.
This limitation could inconvenience users transitioning from legacy systems or alternative platforms. By focusing exclusively on BTRFS, Synology underscores its commitment to advanced data protection features, though at the expense of broader compatibility with older or less advanced setups.
ActiveProtect Manager showcases the DP320’s ability to handle diverse workloads, including physical servers and SaaS applications like Microsoft 365. Its user-friendly interface and guided wizards simplify the backup process, even for administrators with limited technical expertise.
However, the system’s scalability is constrained, particularly within the DP320’s hardware configuration, making it more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Larger enterprises with more complex needs may find the platform’s limitations restrictive.
The Synology DP320 marks a significant departure from Synology’s traditional NAS offerings, prioritizing dedicated backup functionality over the versatility of DSM. While it meets the needs of businesses seeking a reliable, appliance-like backup solution, it raises questions about the long-term direction of Synology’s product line.
By focusing on a more targeted use case, the DP320 provides a streamlined experience but sacrifices the breadth of capabilities that long-time Synology users have come to expect. Its reception will likely depend on how well it aligns with evolving business needs and user expectations.
Synology DSM vs ActiveProtect? A Fair Trade?
One of the primary limitations of ActiveProtect compared to Synology’s DSM platform is its lack of flexibility and broader functionality.
DSM is designed as a multi-purpose operating system, offering a rich ecosystem of applications such as Synology Drive for file synchronization, Surveillance Station for security management, and Virtual Machine Manager for virtualization needs. ActiveProtect, by contrast, is narrowly focused on backup and disaster recovery, which significantly limits its utility for users seeking an all-in-one solution.
This singular focus means that features many businesses rely on for daily operations are absent, potentially forcing organizations to maintain separate systems or devices to fulfill those needs. Furthermore, DSM allows for extensive customization, from app installations via the Package Center to advanced settings for network, security, and user management. ActiveProtect lacks these options, leaving users with fewer tools to adapt the system to their unique requirements.
Another drawback of ActiveProtect is its rigid hardware and software configurations. Unlike DSM, which supports a wide variety of Synology devices and configurations, ActiveProtect appliances such as the DP320 are prepopulated with specific hard drives and fixed storage setups. Users are unable to customize their hardware during the initial setup or add features like NVMe caching or 10GbE networking. This limited scalability may not meet the needs of businesses that require adaptable and expandable solutions.
Additionally, ActiveProtect does not offer support for third-party applications, further narrowing its capabilities compared to the more versatile DSM platform. These constraints, combined with the exclusion of DSM’s extensive suite of applications, make ActiveProtect a less appealing option for users who value flexibility and the ability to consolidate multiple workloads within a single system.
While its streamlined design and focus on backup simplicity benefit certain use cases, these sacrifices may leave long-time DSM users dissatisfied.
Synology DP320 ActiveProtect Review – Conclusion and Verdict
The Synology DP320 signals a deliberate shift in Synology’s approach, moving from the flexible, feature-rich DSM ecosystem to a more focused and specialized platform with ActiveProtect Manager. As a dedicated backup appliance, it excels in simplifying data protection for small-scale deployments, offering streamlined management, robust security features, and reliable performance. However, this narrowed scope comes at the cost of the versatility that has long been a hallmark of Synology’s devices. The absence of DSM’s broader ecosystem, including applications like Synology Drive and Surveillance Station, along with limited hardware expandability, highlights the DP320’s specific design for backup and disaster recovery.
This focus positions the DP320 as a gateway product, ideal for businesses prioritizing ease of use and centralized backup management without the complexity of a traditional NAS. However, for those accustomed to the flexibility and adaptability of DSM, the DP320 may feel restrictive. Additionally, the introduction of ActiveProtect Manager raises valid concerns about Synology’s commitment to DSM’s future development. ActiveProtect’s exclusivity and the resources required to support a separate software ecosystem may detract from DSM’s evolution, potentially impacting Synology’s broader user base.
The benefits of DSM-based NAS solutions, such as their application flexibility, expandability, and value across multiple use cases, remain unmatched in the industry. Devices powered by DSM continue to offer exceptional utility for businesses and individuals alike, from collaborative tools like Synology Drive to multimedia solutions and advanced backup features such as Hyper Backup and Snapshot Replication. For many users, these features provide significant value beyond simple data protection, making DSM NAS devices an integral part of diverse workflows.
While the DP320 effectively fills a niche as a dedicated backup appliance, its adoption should be weighed against the broader needs of an organization. It is particularly suited for businesses prioritizing a straightforward, low-maintenance backup solution. However, those requiring multi-purpose functionality or who rely heavily on DSM’s ecosystem may find better value in Synology’s traditional NAS offerings. Ultimately, the DP320 represents both an opportunity and a challenge for Synology as it balances the demand for focused solutions like ActiveProtect with the expectations of its long-standing user base.
| Synology DP320 NAS Pros | Synology DP320 NAS Cons |
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